Car coupling system



July 21, 1942.

E A. LARssoN CAR COUPLING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 1'6, 1941 Zmventor ERNST A. LABSSON Patented July 21, 1942 UNHTED STATES OFFICE CAR COUPLING SYSTEM Application August 16, 1941, Serial No. 407,171

14 Claims.

My invention relates to car and electric couplers and coupling system.

It is sometimes desirable to equip the cars of a train so that they may be coupled automatically upon impact and automatically uncoupled from a station in either of the coupled cars.

It is, also, sometimes desirable to employ such couplers on cars which are equipped with electric brakes in place of air brakes in which case the cars are not provided with compressed air but are equipped with a source of electric power.

For the latter system, I have provided an improved coupling system which is positioned at each end of the car and each system is independent of the other system which is one object of my invention.

Another object is to provide as inexpensive equipment as possible and for that reason I employ a liquid under compression for operating the car coupler to its off position and electric mechanisms to carry out the other operations of my system.

The couplers could be operated to their uncoupling positions by electrical mechanism were it not for the fact that space would not permit of a sufiiciently large mechanism which would be required but by using a hydraulic system, that is, a pump and compressor employing a liquid such as kerosene, lubricating oil, water rendered non-freezing, etc., at a pressure ranging as high as four hundred pounds per square inch, I am able to use a relatively small compressor and uncoupling motor engine which is much smaller and far less expensive than the use of electric or pneumatic uncoupling mechanisms.

In my improved system each end of each car to be coupled is equipped like each other end of the cars and, therefore, like parts of the system shown in the accompanying drawing of cars A and B are designated by like numerals.

In the drawing is shown a schematic arrangement of my invention in its preferred embodiment as applied to the coupled ends of two cars and the various mechanisms and elements are shown as when the cars are fully coupled and in condition to be moved.

The couplers I are attached to the cars and may be of any improved type of car and electric couplers. In the drawing I have shown the coupler heads I of the well-known knuckle type provided with spring-held wedge locks 2 as shown in Tomlinson Patent 1,989,894 and hydraulic operating uncoupling motor 3 having an active position to move the locks to their uncoupled position.

The heads I are each provided with electric couplers which are preferably attached below the heads and provided with contacts 4, 5, 6, I, 8, 9, I0 and H which for clarity are shown on each side of the coupler heads.

Each car end is also provided with a drum type switch [2 which controls some of the circuits of the cars as later explained but may be of any approved type.

Each drum switch I2 is operated to its two positions by a solenoid type motor S provided with a solenoid 13 to move the switch to its on position and a solenoid I4 to move the switch to its off position.

Each car is also equipped with a compressor 0 comprising a pump l5 and an operating motor l6 therefor and an electrically operated valve ll to control the pressure and flow of liquid.

In order to control the unlatching of the couplers l and the operation of the drum switch 12 to their off positions, I employ an uncoupling switch D conveniently located at each end of the car and provided with a hand operated pushbutton switch It normally connecting the contacts 19 through the medium of the spring [8' while another pair of contacts 2!] are normally open or unconnected.

The connector of switch It may be manually operated to connect the contacts 20 leaving the contacts [9 open or unconnected and the com nector of switch l8 may also be operated electrically from either car to close the contacts 20 on the coupled cars by means of a normally open manually operated switch 2| on th coupled cars.

The uncoupling operation is as followsSuppose the operator is located in car A, he will manually operate the connector of switch It on the switch D on the car A to close the contacts 20 and open the contacts NJ in which case operating current will flow from the positive source of supply on car A through the contacts 20, conductor 22, coupler contacts 4 and 8, conductors 23 and 24 on Car B, 01f coil I4 to negative supply on car B of the engine S on car B, thus energizing the solenoid l4 and operating the switch S on car B to its off position.

At the same time current will flow through coil 25 of switch D to the negative supply line and thus energize coil 25 and move the connector of switch E8 on car B to connect the contacts 20 whereby current will flow from the positive supply line through switch D, conductors 26, coupler contacts 4 and 8, conductors 2'! and 28 through the off solenoid of motor S to the negative supply line thus energizing solenoid l4 and moving the switch I2 on car A to its ofi position.

At the same time current will flow through the solenoid of switch D on car A to the negative supply line thus energizing solenoid 25 thus acting upon the connector of switch I8 which has been manually operated to hold it in engagement with the contacts 23. The connector of switch I8 will be so held until the cars are parted and the contacts 4 and 8 are separated thus breaking the current supply to the solenoids 25.

The drum switches I2 ar shown in their coupled positions and the two central contacts a and b are shown as closed and connecting two circuits which may be for any purpose desired such as signals, etc. between the cars, while the end contacts on switches I2 are shown as opened.

When the drum switches l2 on both cars were operated to their uncoupled position by the energization of off coils I4, the contacts a and b on both switches i2 were opened and the end contacts thereon closed, but when the end contacts 29 close, current will flow from. conductors 21 on car A through contacts 29 of the switch I2, conductor 30 and through electric motor IE to negative supply line, thus operating the motor I6 and causing the pump I5 to force the liquid in the system and reservoir 3| to flow through the pipe 32 to the uncoupling cylinder of the uncoupling mechanism 3 thus forcing the piston 33 to its unlocking or active position and thereby operating the wedge lock 2 to its unlocking position, whereby the knuckle is free to open under action of the spring 43.

At the same time current flowing through the conductor 30 will flow through conductor 34 and through the operating coil of the normally opened magnetic valve I'I, thus operating the valve to its closed position so that the liquid under pressure is prevented from flowing through pipe and back to reservoir 3| until the pressure reaches a predetermined value,

The operating coil of the valve I! is so proportioned and adjusted that the valve is held closed by a force of predetermined value and when the hydraulic force acting against the valve becomes sufliciently great to overcome the predetermined electro-magnetic force of the operating coil the valve opens, allowing the liquid to flow from pipe 32, through pipe 35 back to the reservoir 3 I. Thus when th piston 33 in the uncoupling mechanism 3 has reached its maximum stroke required to unlatch the coupler knuckle with the motor I6 still operating the pressure pump I5, the pressure in the system is prevented from exceeding apredetermined value by opening the valve I! allowing the liquid pressure to flow back from pipe 32 to the reservoir 3|.

The same operation of the liquid pressure system takes place on car B simultaneously to that on car A to move the lock 2. on car B to its unlocking position and permitting the knuckle to open.

The cars are now in condition for parting. When such parting takes place, the circuits through the coupler contacts 4 and 8 are broken and the uncoupling control switches D on both cars are returned to their normal position shown in the drawing, since the solenoids 25 will be deenergized.

The valve I! on each car will also return to its open position shown in the drawing permitting the liquid pressure to flow back from the uncoupling cylinder through th pipe 32, valve l1 and pipe 35 to the reservoir 3| under the. in-

fluence of the energy stored up in the spring 36 acting upon piston 33 thus restoring the uncoupling motor 3 to it inactive position.

The uncoupling switch 2| is usually placed at some accessible point where it may b operated from outside either car and when it is closed it functions to close the circuits through the solenoids 25 on both cars thus energizing solenoids 25 and closing contacts 20 and placing switches D in condition to function as previously explained.

When it is desired to couple two cars they are brought together with suflicient impact to release the knuckles which have been held open by the tail thereof engaging the end of the wedge 2 when it was moved to its uncoupling position and to simultaneously close all contacts of the electric couplers attached to the coupler heads I, thus automatically, electrically and mechanically coupling the cars.

Current will now flow on car A from the positive supply line through contacts 31' of drum switch I2 which are now closed, through conductor 38, on solenoid I3 of motor. S, conductor 39, coupler contacts 9. and 5, conductor 4| on car B, contacts |9of switch D' to the negative supply line thus energizing coil I3 on car A and operating the drum switch thereon to its normal coupled condition as shown in the drawmg.

In like manner current will flow from the positive supply line through the contacts 31 on the drum switch l2 on car B and which are now closed, through conductor 38. on solenoid. I9, conductor 39, coupler contacts 9 and 5, conductor 4| on car A, contacts I9 of switch D.to th negative supply line, thus energizing on coil I3. on car B and moving the drum switch I2 to its coupled condition.

At the completion of the operation of drum switches I2, the contacts 29 and 3'I will be open. The cars are now in fully coupled relation and ready to operate.

The check valves 42 and 43 will prevent the pressure in the hydraulic system from backing up from the line 32 into the pump I5 or backing into the reservoir 3| from the pump.

By using a non-compressible liquid in the.

closed uncoupling system and maintaining all parts thereof except the uncoupling motor 3 filled with the liquid when the cars are in coupled condition, there is no time lost in applying pressure thereto when the motor I6 is energized, as the pressure is quickly raised to its maximum requirement. The same is true if the reservoir 3| is only partly full providing the other parts. are filled.

I have referred to the hydraulic system as a liquid pressure system, and also as a fluid pressure system since the system can operate using air or gas and the term fluid indicates. liquid,

air and gas, while the term liquid is specific.

to a non-compressible material. When gas or air is used it may require time to raise the pres-v sure to an uncoupling value since air or gas is compressible; therefore, I prefer to use a liquid.

Modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art; therefore, I wish to be limited. only by my claims.

I claim:

1. The, combination with two. cars, of a mechanical coupler on each car for connecting the cars, a lock for each coupler, a motor operated mechanism on each car for unlocking said couplers, said mechanism including a pressure system therefor containing a liquid and electrically operated means to force said liquid under pressure to said motor, an electrically controlled circuit for inciting said unlocking mechanism and having parts thereof in each car, electrical coupling means on each of said cars arranged to simultaneously connect and disconnect said circuit upon connection or disconnection of said mechanical couplers, a switch for closing said controlled circuit, and means for maintaining said circuit closed and the mechanical couplers in unlocked condition until the control circuit is broken by the parting of said electrical couplers.

2. The combination with two cars, of a coupler on each car for connecting said cars, uncoupling circuits for the uncoupling mechanism, a switch in each car to close said control circuits, a supplemental circuit from each control circuit and a supplemental switch associated therewith positioned on each car to energize and control the energization of the electrically operated pumps and means actuated by current from each electric control circuit to operate the supplemental switches to establish a flow of current through said supplemental circuits to said pressure pumps,

3. The combination with two cars, of a coupler for connecting said cars, uncoupling means for said cars, said uncoupling means comprising a fluid operated motor on each car acting upon the coupler to release the same, electric operated mechanism positioned on each car and provided with fluid to force the fluid under pressure to said motor to operate the same, and electric control circuit for said uncoupling means having parts thereof in each car, said parts being conneoted through electrical couplers to form a closed circuit which is broken by separation of the said cars, a branch from said control circuit connected to said electric operated mechanism to supply current thereto to operate the same, a switch for closing said control circuit, said uncoupling means being incited by the current in said branch circuit which in turn is incited by the said control circuit to retain said coupler in uncoupled relation after said switch has been closed until the parts of said control circuit are separated by the separation of the cars.

4. The combination with two cars, of a coupler on each car to intercouple for connecting the cars, said couplers being releasable to permit separating the cars, an electrically incited electric switch on each car, separate electric circuits for inciting said switches, the circuit for inciting each switch being controlled by the switch on the other car, and means other than said circuits for operating one of said switches, said circuits extending from car to car and having their continuity maintained by, electrical couplers which are disengaged when said cars are separated, uncoupling mechanism associated with each car and arranged to act upon said coupler thereon to release the same with respect to the other coupler, the said mechanism on each car comprising a motor operated by liquid under pressure to operate the coupler thereon to its uncoupling condition, an electrically operated pump to supply liquid pressure to said motor, a reservoir containing liquid, conduits connecting said motor and pumpiand reservoir whereby liquid may be forced under pressure from said reservoir to said motor to operate the motor to its uncoupling position and an electric circuit connecting said pump on each car to the aforesaid electric circuit thereon whereby the pump is operated when the said electric switch is operated to its off position.

5. The combination with two cars, of a coupler having interlocking coupling means for connecting said cars, control mechanism on said cars having an on position adapted for coupled relation of said cars and an off position adapted for uncoupled relation of said cars, means operable while said cars are in coupled relation for moving said mechanism to its off position and for holding said mechanism in said position until said cars are separated, said means being automatically de-energized by separation of said cars, mechanism containing a liquid on each car to unlock said coupler to permit the said cars to separate, the said mechanism comprising a motor acting upon said interlocking coupler means and operated by the liquid under pressure whereby said interlock is broken, electric operated mechanism for creating said liquid pressure, a reservoir for said liquid, a normally open electromagnetic valve to control the flow and pressure of said liquid, piping connecting the parts of said uncoupling mechanism, means to energize said control mechanism to close said electromagnetic valve and force liquid under pressure to said motor and means to keep said control mechanism energized until said cars are separated by parting of said coupler.

6. The combination with two cars, of a coupler having interlocking coupling means for connecting said oars, control mechanism on said cars having an on position adapted for coupling relation of said cars and an off position adapted for uncoupling relation to said cars, a first means operable while said cars are in coupled relation for moving said mechanism to its off position a second means for holding said mechanism in said position until said cars are separated, said first means being automatically deenergized by separation of said cars, a noncompressible liquid operated device on each car to unlock said coupier to permit said cars to separate, the said mechanism comprising a motor acting upon said interlocking coupler means and operated by said non-compressible liquid under pressure whereby said interlock is broken, electrically operated mechanism for creating said pressure, the said mechanism in each car being connected to a source of current supply and the current thereto being controlled by operating said control mechanism to its oft position, whereby the said fluid pressure is maintained and the coupler held in the uncoupled position until the cars are separated.

7. The combination with two cars, of a coupler on each car for connecting the cars, a lock for each coupler, unlocking mechanism on each car, each mechanism including an unlocking motor operated by liquid under pressure, a pressure system containing a liquid connected to said motor, a reservoir connected to said system and the reservoir and the system being completely filled with said liquid when the cars are in their fully locked condition, an electrically controlled circuit connected through electrical couplers and adapted to be connected to said electrically operated means on both cars to incite the same when it is desired to uncouple the cars, means to keep said circuit closed until said cars are separated and the circuit broken through separation of said electrical couplers and means associated with the said motor to force the liquid therein back through the system and into the reservoirafter the cars have separated.

8. The combination with two cars, of a coupler on each car cooperating to couple the cars, a lock on each coupler, unlocking mechanism on each car, each mechanism including a liquid operated motor acting upon the lock to move it to its unlocked position, a reservoir, an electrically operated compressor, a piping system connecting the motor and the reservoir and the compressor, a liquid in said system and mechanism parts arranged to be forced under pressure to said motor for the purpose intended, and an electric circuit on each car connected to the compressor to incite the same when it is desired to uncouple the cars and including means to maintain said liquid under pressure in said motor until said cars are parted, and means associated with said unlocking mechanism to permit excess liquid under pressure to be returned to the reservoir and limit the pressure on the system after uncoupling has taken place and before the cars are parted.

9. The combination with two cars, of a coupler on each car for connecting said cars, mechanism on each of said cars for each respective coupler to move each coupler to its uncoupling position, means for retaining said couplers in their uncoupling position until the cars are separated, the said means including an electrically operated compressor, a controlled electric circuit to incite the compressor and having a portion thereof in each car, and electrical coupling means to connect said portions together to close the circuit when the cars are coupled but being automatically separated to open the. circuit when said cars are separated.

10. The combination with two cars, of a coupler on each car for connecting the cars, each coupler having an uncoupling mechanism, actuating means for said uncoupling mechanism, said actuating means comprising a liquid pressure system including means to operate said system and an electrically controlled circuit on each car for inciting the last said means when desired to uncouple the cars, electrical couplers to connect said control circuits, means to energize said controlled circuit and means to maintain said energization until the cars are parted.

11. The combination with two cars, of a coupler on each car for coupling said cars together, electrically operated fluid pressure means for operating said couplers to their uncoupling condition, an operating circuit for energizing the fluid pressure means and a switch in each car to control the current in the circuit, and an electric control circuit having a portion in'each car, coupling means on said cars for connecting together the portions of said circuits, means in each car to establish flow of current in said control circuits, means actuated by said current for shifting said switch to its closed position whereby said operating circuit is energized and the electrically operated fluid pressure means operated to move the couplers to their uncoupling position and means to keep said control circuits energizeduntil said cars are separated.

12. The combination with a car, of a coupler on the car for connecting to the coupler of a companion car, a locking means on the coupler, a system including a fluid associated with the car to efiect an unlocking of the locking means, the said system comprising a fluid operated motor acting upon the unlocking means to move it to its unlocking position, a reservoir, pipes connecting the reservoir and the motor, a compressor to raise the pressure of the fluid in the system, an electrically operated motor to operate said compressor, and an electric circuit to energize said electric motor, means in said system to control the pressure of the fluid during operation and to permit return of the fluid to the reservoir when the fluid operated motor returns to its inactive position.

13. The combination with an electrically equipped car provided with a car and electric coupler to intercouple with the coupler on another car, of a hydraulic system individual to the car and arranged to unlock the coupler relative to the companion coupler, the said system comprising an uncoupling motor acting upon the coupler lock to move it to its unlocking position, a reservoir to hold a liquid, an electrically operated pressure pump connected to the reservoir and to the uncoupling motor such that the uncoupling motor is moved to its active position and the coupler lock to its unlocking position when the electrically operated pump is operated, and valve means to automatically control the exhaust of the liquid from the uncoupling motor and including conduit connected from said valve to said reservoir to return the liquid to the reservoir after the lock has been moved to its unlocking position and the coupled cars parted.

14. The combination with a car provided with a combined car and electric coupler mounted on the car for connecting to a combined car and electric coupler on a companion car, of a hydraulic pressure system individual to the car and arranged to unlock the coupler relative to the coupler on the companion car, the said system comprising an uncoupling motor acting upon the coupler lock to move it to its uncoupling position, a reservoir to hold a liquid, an electrically operated pressure pump connected to the reservoir and to the uncoupling motor such that the uncoupling motor is moved to its active position and the coupler lock to its unlocking position when the electrically operated pump is operated, and valve means including conduit connecting the valve and the reservoir to automatically control the return to the reservoir of excess liquid delivered by the pump to the system prior to the separation of the couplers.

ERNST A. LARSSON. 

